The Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) published a story about a new scheme approved by the Cabinet of Ministers chaired by the Prime Minister himself in which the word ‘Bakhch*d’ was used as Narendra Modi’s middle name. The story started doing the rounds after Nishant Saxena, a correspondent for exchange4media, raised the issue on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/nishant9717/status/1040109327325921280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Saxena’s claim was corroborated by Republic TV journalist Nalini Sharma as well. The news has now been picked up by several other media outlets.
https://twitter.com/nalinisharma_/status/1040139629020819456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Saxena further stated that after some time a news advisory was issued by the agency which read, “IANS is withdrawing a story “Cabinet approves scheme on remunerative crop prices” which moved at 1756 hours. It contains inaccuracies. Please guard against its publication. A substitute version has moved at 1844 hours.”
The reporter in whose name the story was published was suspended with immediate effect and the concerned editor has been issued a show-cause notice. IANS has stated that an investigation has been launched into the matter.
https://twitter.com/nalinisharma_/status/1040165127453134848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Meanwhile, there are fears that more people could lose their jobs over the fiasco. The webcache of the original story can still be accessed here.